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Category Archives: environment

Two tragic events this week gave right wingers an opportunity to show some humanity and decency. As usual, wingnuts did not exactly cover themselves in glory. Instead of rising to the occasion, they sank to new lows. Most Americans were sad to learn that beloved … Continue reading →

The crisis that made the water in Toledo, Ohio, unsafe to drink this past weekend is over, for now, but the “perfect storm” that created it rages on: pollution, conservatism, corporate lobbying and climate change. Continue reading →

House Speaker John Boehner called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s idea for passing immigration reform “Nutso.” Maybe Boehner hasn’t taken a good look at his own party. Then again, who can blame him? Continue reading →

The West Virginia chemical spill that poisoned a river and left 300,000 without water is another consequence of conservatism’s “deregulation culture,” and a lesson in the importance of government oversight over business. Continue reading →

First, there was Snowpocalypse. Then there was Snowmageddon. That was followed by Thundersnow. This summer brought the derecho. And most recently, we’ve been visited by Frankenstorm. Aside from their odd names, these events all have a few more things in … Continue reading →

It’s been rumored for some time that my governor, Maryland’s Martin O’Malley, is considering a run for the White House in 2016. O’Malley has dropped a few hints himself. He tested the waters at the Democratic convention, and launched a … Continue reading →

In recent years, the metro-DC area has faced its share of natural disasters. There was the derecho, and before that, there was the earthquake. Both of those were unexpected disasters. Now we sit waiting for Hurricane Sandy, a potentially devastating … Continue reading →

A light bulb burned out in our house last night. It popped when I turned on the light switch and — as dim bulbs usually do — burned intensely bright just before it went dark for good. That bulb reminds … Continue reading →

Last night, Parker asked me to show him some videos of what was going on in Japan. We were sitting on the couch, and I had my laptop handy, so I showed him some of the videos and explained to … Continue reading →

They’ll never get it. This: Mike Beard, a Republican state representative from Minnesota, recently argued that coal mining should resume in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, in part because he believes God has created an earth that will provide unlimited … Continue reading →

I’ll say it again. When progressives and conservatives talk about jobs, we are not talking about the same thing. Nor do we talk about jobs for the same reasons, it seems. The more I watch the ongoing floor debate in … Continue reading →

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series If They Could Turn Back TimeHey, everyone in the Rand Paul pile-on, make room for one more. I’m coming in for a landing! I shouldn’t pick on the good doctor, … Continue reading →

American Conservatives from Joe Barton to Rand Paul and Sarah Palin have expressed outrage that the President Obama would use the the power of his office to hold BP accountable to the residents of the Gulf Coast. They are outraged … Continue reading →

Ed. Note: Since this piece was written, Barton (or a Barton aide) has tweeted and deleted a “retraction of the retraction” of the original apology. Andrew Reinbach is right. Deservedly or not, the political gods continue to smile on the … Continue reading →

Bob Herbert’s latest New York Times column, "Our Epic Foolishness," could (and perhaps should) serve as the introduction to a book about how America got into the various messes we’re in — from the ongoing ecological disaster in the Gulf, … Continue reading →

The only things more astounding than conservatives’ record of failure, are their denials of "personal responsibility" for the ensuing disasters, and their attempts to blame somebody — anybody — else. Their response to the growing ecological disaster in the Gulf … Continue reading →

Far be it from me to criticize anyone in government. (Yeah. Right.) But there’s something that’s been on my mind ever since people started piling on the auto industry, and this comment from Rahm Emmanuel brought it back to mind. … Continue reading →

The winding down of the dark age of W feels like something like a long night’s journey into day. (Apologies to Eugene O’Neill.) Granted, Republicans are doing everything they can on their way out to make sure the light at … Continue reading →

Oh, come on. Christian Bale has a point. If Moses were around today — “hearing voices” and acting out — he’d probably be diagnosable as schizophrenic. After all, when people “hear voices” today, they end up as mental health patients, not prophets.

I vote “No.” For starters, we’re not a agrarian society anymore. Second, it certainly doesn’t make me more productive. If anything, I’m far less productive during the couple of days it takes me to adjust to the time change — especially in the spring.